Louisiana Inshore Shrimp Season Remains Closed

August 1, 2014 – Yesterday, officials with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries annouced the re-opening of certain state inshore and Gulf of Mexico waters that were previously closed due to oiling from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

Although these waters will re-open ½ hour before sunrise on Monday, August 4, 2014, state rules, regulations and seasons for individual saltwater species are still effective within these areas. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will meet August 7 to consider opening dates for the fall inshore shrimp season.

Shrimp harvesting remains closed in state inside waters except the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described by the double–rig line in R.S. 56:495.1(A)2. and in the portion of Mississippi Sound as follows:

that portion of Mississippi Sound beginning at a point on the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary at 30 degrees 09 minutes 39.6 seconds north latitude and -89 degrees 30 minutes 00.0 seconds west longitude due south to a point at 30 degrees 05 minutes 00.0 seconds north latitude and -89 degrees 30 minutes 00.0 seconds west longitude; thence southeasterly to a point on the western shore of Three-Mile Pass at 30 degrees 03 minutes 00.0 seconds north latitude and -89 degrees 22 minutes 23.0 seconds west longitude; thence northeasterly to a point on Isle Au Pitre at 30 degrees 09 minutes 20.5 seconds north latitude and -89 degrees 11 minutes 15.5 seconds west longitude, which is a point on the double–rig line.

For a map that details the areas currently open to shrimp harvesting click here.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb, or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.